Pest description and crop damage Adult is a steel-blue, clear-winged moth. The female is similar in appearance, but has smoky-colored wings and an orange band around her abdomen. Adult flight is usually from late June through September and eggs are laid at or on the base of the fruit tree. Larvae burrow in the crown and roots, girdle young trees, and weaken others. A single larva is capable of girdling a newly-planted fruit tree. Larval presence can best be detected by globs of gum mixed with a granular brown frass that appear at the base of infested fruit trees. Full-grown larvae are 1 to 1.5 inch long with a whitish body and a brown head.

Biology and life history The borer overwinters as a larva under the tree bark, usually below soil surface. As temperatures rise above 50°F in the spring, the larva resumes feeding on the tissues under the bark. Larvae reach maturity in May to June and pupate in trees. Adult moths emerge beginning in June and continue to emerge through September. Mating and egg laying occurs throughout this period. The young larvae hatch after 8 to 10 days and bore immediately into the base of the tree. Larvae in the bark above the soil surface usually do not survive the winter in cold areas.

Pest monitoring Periodically scout the base of the trunk near the soil surface for excessive gumosis mixed with granular frass. Pheromone traps are available to monitor adult male moth activity.

Management-cultural control

Protect the base of the fruit tree from larval entry by placing a plastic or metal cone or barrier around it before egg laying begins. The cone should be pushed 1 to 2 inches into the soil and should fit snugly around the trunk at the top to prevent the tiny larvae from getting beneath it. Alternatively, if there are only one or a few peach trees in a home orchard, it may be quicker and cheaper to control this insect by "worming." Use a pocket knife, wire or some pointed instrument to remove dirt around the tree and dig out the larvae.

Management-chemical control

Spray applications, and more importantly pesticide residues, on the trunk of the tree can prevent newly-hatched larvae from boring beneath the tree bark and entering the woody trunk where they are protected from all insecticide sprays.

Use pesticides safely!

Wear protective clothing and safety devices as recommended on the label. Bathe or shower after each use.

Read the pesticide label—even if you’ve used the pesticide before. Follow closely the instructions on the label (and any other directions you have).

Be cautious when you apply pesticides. Know your legal responsibility as a pesticide applicator. You may be liable for injury or damage resulting from pesticide use.

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